Wednesday, May 31, 2006

There's currently a two-day workshop convening at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to gather experts' advice for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Highlights of an expert panel on the first day include:

"Toning down" drug advertisements to temper patient expectations

Providing simpler display strategies (e.g. graphics, charts, tables) for comparing risks and benefits of different therapeutic options to aid patients and clinicians with the decision-making process

There is also a pending Institute of Medicine report, expected to be released in July 2006, examining the FDA's practices for assessment of drug safety, focusing particularly on improving the national system for post-marketing surveillance of potential additional adverse effects. The IOM site contains meeting agendas, transcripts, and audio files of open meetings related to this project to date.